Thursday, October 26, 2006

One of the most influential elected leaders in California, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, has endorsed Proposition 89, the initiative to stem political corruption and create a level playing field for California elections, Prop. 89 proponents announced today.

“At a time when far too many Californians are disenchanted with our political system, passage of Prop. 89 will be a big step forward in getting more people involved in our political system and restoring public faith in our democracy,” said Villaraigosa.

“Prop 89. will broaden the playing field and allow Californians from all walks of life to run for office and help solve problems affecting all Californians – from improving our schools to protecting our environment to assuring access to quality healthcare for all,” said Villaraigosa.

“We are especially proud to add the support of Mayor Villaraogisa to the more than 300 good government and community organizations and forward thinking political leaders who are committed to transforming politics in California,” said Rose Ann DeMoro, executive director of the California Nurses Association, the sponsor of the initiative.

Villaraigosa’s endorsement also comes amidst growing support for Prop. 89 among Latino political organizations and leaders, including the Mexican American Political Association, Latino National Congreso, United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta, State Sen. Richard Alarcon, and Assembly members Ed Chavez, Cindy Montanez, and Pedro Nava.

Proposition 89 reduces how much corporations, unions or individuals can give to candidates, bars contributions to candidates by lobbyists and government contractors, and limits corporations to spending no more than $10,000 on ballot initiatives. It supports candidates who reject private fundraising with a set limit of public funds, paid for not by individuals but by a small 0.2% increase in the corporate tax rate. If politicians or lobbyists break the law, they can be fined, removed from office, or jailed.

Other major endorsers of Prop. 89 include the League of Women Voters of California, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) California, Sierra Club California, Common Cause, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, United Teachers Los Angeles, Service Employees Intl. Union California Sate Council, and the California Clean Money Campaign.